Thereās no city quite like New York. Itās unique in many ways, and with that comes unique challenges for businesses who call it home. Not to mention that in a city known as one of the top shopping destinations in the world, standards are high and shoppers are selective. Howās a business to not only survive in New York City but thrive?
We canāt tell businesses exactly what it takes, but we can tell them that extraordinaryĀ signage certainly helps. By extraordinary signage, we, of course, mean digital signage. Digital signage meets many of the particular demands facing New York City businesses, who must compete in a city thatās large, densely populated, modern and fast-paced. If you can make it here you can make it anywhere, as they say, so itās a worthwhile and rewarding pursuit.
Here are five reasons New York City businesses need digital signage.
1. It drives foot traffic into stores
New York is a pedestrian city. As its inhabitants say in jest, “Nobody drives in New York, there’s too much traffic.” In fact, the city consistentlyĀ ranks highest in number of households that are car-free.
Instead,Ā New Yorkers drive with their feet. So how can businesses drive those feet into their stores?
There is plenty of evidence that digital signage helps drive foot traffic into stores. Just take a look at these statistics:
- Digital signage has the potential to boostĀ in-store traffic by 32.8%[1]
- 59% of people who see digital signage want to learn more about the advertised topic[2]
- Nearly seven in ten (68%) American consumers have purchased a product or service because a sign caught theirĀ interest[3]
- 63% of people rate digital signage as more attention-grabbingĀ than other forms of media[4]
Statistics aside, it just makes sense. New Yorkers mayĀ roam the streets with no intention of going shopping orĀ pass by stores while on their way elsewhere. All it takes is something that divertsĀ their attention ā like a vibrant digital sign ā to turn mere passers-by into paying customersĀ in your store. Each seemingly preoccupied pedestrian represents anĀ opportunity for a new customer, and digital signage allows businesses to seize those opportunities.
2. ItĀ fitsĀ NYC’s culture of modernity andĀ vibrancy
New Yorkers are no strangers toĀ digital signage, fromĀ the larger-than-life displays of Times SquareĀ toĀ interactive kiosksĀ on subway platforms.Ā That’s because theĀ world looks to New York CityĀ as an authority on what’s modernĀ and cutting-edge, not just in fashion, diningĀ andĀ art but also technology. Digital signage allows Big Apple businesses to fitĀ this culture of modernity, whether they’re the MTA or a brick-and-mortar shop. It fits shoppers’Ā perception of New York City businessesĀ being contemporary and forward-thinking.
New York City also has a culture of vibrancy, henceĀ its reputation as the “center of the universe” or “the city that never sleeps”. It’s a place where the only constant is change and there’s rarely a dull moment. The dynamic, animated, colorful nature of digital signage is harmoniousĀ with the city’s nonstop energy, givingĀ businesses anotherĀ way to look like they belong.
3. It helps businesses stand out
The jam-packed blocks of Manhattan are full ofĀ stores for New YorkersĀ to browse. Almost every major chain has a presence in the city, alongside countless small and medium-sized businesses. Manhattan hasĀ a Starbucks every 5.6 blocks, and New York CityĀ ranks second behind Los Angeles in number of small businesses.
The sheer nature of capitalism coupled with theĀ city’s crowded, busy economicĀ landscape means one thing: New York City businessesĀ face fiercer competition than they would in other cities.
Before any businessĀ can compete for shoppers’ wallets, itĀ must first win their attention, which requires standing out from the crowd. Digital signage, with its novelty, dynamism and allure, is an excellent way to do so. Chances are every other store on your block uses printed signage, giving you an opportunity to distinguish yourself by opting for digital signage. A three-month study by Intel even found that digital signage earns 400% more views than static signs.
4. It conveys information in a New York minute
New York City is famously fast-paced, hence the term “New York minute”. Inhabitants are alsoĀ selective in what they do and do not pay attention to, due to the countless sights, sounds, and distractions the city provides. Therefore, in addition to having to vie forĀ New Yorkers’ attention, NYC businesses must communicate quickly. Digital signage allows themĀ to doĀ both.
A commonly cited statistic says the brain processes images 60,000 times faster than it processes text. Neuroscientists atĀ MIT also found that the human brain can process entire images that were seenĀ for as little as 13 milliseconds. Printed signage can display images too, but digital signage can rotate hundreds of different images on a single screen. It can broadcast video as well,Ā a minute of which being equivalent to 1.8 million words according to Forrester Research.
5. ItĀ keeps up with the city’s fast pace
When you set up shop in a fast-pacedĀ city like New York, your signageĀ needs to stay on pace too. Trends, seasons, sales, and inventory will rapidly change,Ā calling for signage that can quickly reflectĀ these changes.
Updating digital signage content takes much less time than changing out printed signs. JustĀ logĀ into your online dashboardĀ from any internet-connected device,Ā make the necessary changes,Ā and your display(s) will update almost instantly. You don’t even have to be near your displays to update them.
Printed signs are more laborious, time-consuming and costly to update. They can’t keep up with the rate at which change occursĀ in New York City. You want potential customers toĀ walk by your store and see your freshest andĀ latest collections, prices, sales, promotions,Ā ads, etc. You wouldn’t want them to see outdated content that no longer applies, only because you couldn’t change your signage fast enough. Digital signage eliminates this problem, helping you gratify both the fast paceĀ and keen fashion sense of New Yorkers and their lifestyles.
Conclusion
It takes a special mix of swiftness, adaptability, andĀ individuality to make it in a city like New York. Digital signage embodies these characteristics in and of itself and helps businesses embody them too. It provides an advantage no matter which city itĀ operates in, but especially one where businesses are so highly rewarded for their innovation and eccentricity.
CrownTV is proud to call New York City home for the past six years. No matter where your business is located, request a demo of our digital signage solution if you’d like toĀ see how it can fit your particularĀ needs.
Are you a local NYC business needing assistance with your digital signage? We offer same-day technician dispatch for a complimentary estimate. Contact usĀ here.
